Newtown Artesian asking for rate increase in Middletown, Newtown. How much could it cost?

Water rates in Middletown, Newtown Borough and Newtown Township could increase by almost 14% in September if a request is approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

The potential rate increase requested by the Newtown Artesian Water Company could take effect on Sept. 18, increasing the typical residential ratepayer’s quarterly bill from about $106.45 to $121.23, approximately $14.78 higher, according to a news release from the water supplier.

A similar increase would also be applied to the company’s commercial, industrial and public customers.

Artesian Water CEO Dan Angrove said Thursday the increase is due in part to a "decrease in consumption" and also "investments in the water system" in the form of a new PFAS treatment plant expected to be operational in March 2026.

PFAS is an umbrella term referring to a family of chemicals first invented in the 1940s that became nearly ubiquitous compounds used in consumer and industrial products for decades.

Over the years, PFAS has been linked to different types of cancer, low birth weights, thyroid disease and other health conditions.

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency set a Maximum Contaminant Level for two of the most common compounds, PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion. Three other PFAS compounds — PFNA, PFHxS, and Gen X chemicals — each of an MCL of 10 ppt.

The Newtown Artesian Water Company also tested about 2 to 3 times over the MCL for PFOA and PFOS when samples were collected in January .

Construction for the plant that is expected to bring levels of the so-called "forever chemicals" down to non-detect is planned to begin in 2025.

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Here’s a breakdown of the proposed rate increases:

• A residential customer with a 5/8-inch meter and typical usage of 12,000 gallons per quarter would see a $14.78, increase from $106.45 to $121.23 per quarter
• A commercial customer with a 5/8-inch meter and typical usage of 15,000 gallons per month would see a $14.87 increase, from $112.01 to $126.88 per month
• An industrial customer with a 3/4-inch meter and typical usage of 115,000 gallons per month would see a $105.87 increase, from $811.56 to $917.43 per month
• A public customer with a 2-inch meter and typical usage of 143,000 gallons per month would see a $139.69 increase, from $1,056.15 to $1,195.84 per month

The rate increases are expected to generate about $922,419 in new revenue annually, the release states.

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Customers can contact Newtown Artesian for further information or about what actions they may take by calling 215-968-6781. More information about the utility commission’s rate change process can be found at www.puc.pa.gov .

Chris Ullery is the Philadelphia Hub Data Reporter for the USA Today Network. Reach him at cullery@couriertimes.com or find him on Twitter at @ulleryatinell.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Newtown Artesian asking for rate increase in Middletown, Newtown. How much could it cost?